Chaska decides to flood baseball field during unusual flooding season

BY JOE KELLY

The city of Chaska opened floodgates and intentionally flooded the baseball field in Athletic Park on Saturday, KARE 11 reported.

In 2015, the city built a $300,000 berm around the park to prevent flooding from the Minnesota River, the Chaska Herald reported. However, because floodwaters are unusually high this season, Chaska Community Manager Kevin Wright said the water was let in to prevent it from rising over the top of the berm and hitting facilities at a faster speed and with harder impact.

The Chaska Herald reported that water levels for the Minnesota River will likely reach 33 feet. Before the floodgates opened, members of the high school baseball team helped move equipment away from the field.

According to the Chaska Herald, the field is home to the amateur baseball team the Chaska Cubs and the Chaska High School Hawks. The Hawks are scheduled to play at the park on April 11, while the Cubs are scheduled to play on May 5. Cubs General Manager Bob Roepke told KARE 11 that the teams will likely delay the games or play away games instead of at home while the Minnesota River recedes.